6214. Your 4605.2Admiralty believes it desirable that a United States man-of-war be at Mourmansk for three reasons. First: A force of considerable strength may be needed at any time; Second: Russians of all classes should be impressed with the unity of the Allies; Third: Russian feeling for United States is somewhat more friendly than for Great Britain so that some difficulties might be avoided if a United States man-of-war were present.

There is no vessel in my forces suitable for this detail, unless one of the battleships be taken. I strongly recommend that no one of the battleships now in European Waters be diverted to this duty, but that a pre-dreadnaught battleship or armored cruiser from home waters be sent.3 <23508> 6214